A regional authority to administer water usage from the Lumber River Basin may be formed as a result of an informal meeting arranged by state Rep. Jamie Boles.

Representa-tives from Hoke, Scotland, Robeson and Moore counties and the city of Laurinburg attended the meeting held in Laurinburg Monday afternoon. Moore County was represented by County Commissioners' Chairman Tim Lea, Commissioner Nick Picerno and County Manager Cary McSwain.

"My goal is to establish a revenue-neutral type of authority so that no particular county or municipality will try to balance its budget off this resource," said Boles in a brief interview Tuesday.

Boles, the Southern Pines Republican who represents most of Moore County in the state House, said he was pleased and encouraged by the reaction of those attending the meeting.

"This would be a great opportunity to demonstrate our stewardship of natural resources as a region," Boles said Tuesday. "We have got to work together. I was real encouraged. It was a very positive meeting."

STATE - Boles said it is just a matter of time before the state of North Carolina assumes control of water resources, an action likely to involve allocation of resources.

He said this initiative should put the Lumber River region at the forefront when that happens and could serve as a pilot for the state effort.

Jim Perry, executive director of the Lumber River Council of Governments, is in a position to apply for a grant to get started on such a regional authority.

The gathering decided to ask each county's legislative delegation to submit a letter of support for a feasibility study of the private water and sewer plants located on the Lumber River near the town of Wagram in Scotland County.

These utilities, formerly -serving the huge West Point Pepperell textile plant, are the subject of a purchase offer recently made by the village of Pinehurst. Approval of the transaction has been delayed because of inaction on the part of the Scotland County Board of Commissioners. State law requires approval by the county in which utilities are located before they are purchased by an out-of-county entity.

An engineering firm made a presentation on the water and sewer facilities during the meeting.

In addition to Boles, legislators attending the Monday meeting included state Rep. Doug Yongue, of Laurinburg, and state Sen. Michael P. Walters, who was recently appointed to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of state Sen. David Weinstein, of Robeson County. State Sen. Bill Purcell, of Laurinburg, was unable to attend because of a scheduling conflict. All are Democrats.

Bladen County leaders were also invited to participate but were unable to attend.

"It was a very open meeting, very encouraging," said Boles. "I felt good about it."

RETREAT - Economic issues dominate the agenda for the Moore County Board of Commissioners' annual retreat, which began this morning at the Senior Enrichment Center.

Karl Smith, assistant professor of public economics and government, School of Government, is scheduled to report on the status of the economy later this morning. The afternoon agenda features a panel discussion on the local economy from a banking perspective with Jerry Ocheltree, president and CEO of First Bank, and Sherwood Blackwood, senior vice-president, First Citizens Bank, as speakers.

Ray Ogden, executive director, Partners in Progress, will discuss local economy demographics this afternoon.

Jonathan Morgan, assistant professor of public administration and government, School of Government, will speak during the Thursday session. His topic will be economic development with emphasis on job creation.

Other speakers during the two-day retreat include Ted Cole, of the Davenport financial consulting firm; Schools Superintendent Susan Purser; Sandhills Community College President John Dempsey; County Financial Services Director Lisa Hughes; County Attorney Misty Leland; Information Technology Director Darlene Yudell; and Caleb Miles, president and CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Attention will also be paid to water and sewer needs with Pierre Lauffer, associate with Booz, Allen Hamilton, and Public Works Director Dennis Brobst among the speakers.

COBLE - Congressman Howard Coble will spend Thursday in Moore County.

He will speak to third-graders at Southern Pines Elementary School and a civics class at Pope John Paul II Catholic School and will tour Omnicare Pharmacy. He will have lunch at Rhett's restaurant and stop by The Pilot for an interview.

In the evening Coble will attend the Moore Chamber of Commerce banquet in Pinehurst.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at (910) 693-2479 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.